"It's not a bad start to the year - there's a bit of confidence [around]," he says. He adds that investors and first home buyers were in evidence on Saturday.

There was evidence of the former he says in South Yarra at the auction of two two-bedroom apartments at 1 & 2/12 Lang Street. They were sold under the hammer for $1.237 million after Run Property declared them on the market at $1.15 million.

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Meanwhile, at the more affordable end of the market in Spotswood, a three-bedroom brick house at 4 Kernot Street was bought for $630,000 under the hammer after three parties made bids. Jas Stephens quoted $550,000-$600,000.

Across town in Kew, a three-bedroom townhouse at 4/1203 Burke Road, declared on the market by Jellis Craig at $650,000, went on to sell for $701,000 after five parties made bids.

Director Alistair Craig says the sale is an example of the level of interest being seen in the $500,000-$1 million range.

In McKinnon, Buxton's Chris Hassall auctioned a four-bedroom property at 12 Lord Street before a crowd of about 120 people.

Six bidders fought for the house - quoted earlier at $700,000 to $770,000 - pushing the price to $883,000.

Kim Easterbrook, of Elite Property Advisory, who was at the auction, says the competitiveness being seen in the auction market is in stark contrast to the lack of it at the same time last year.

Meanwhile in Yarraville, a three-bedroom Edwardian at 25 Mackay Street, quoted by Hocking Stuart at $1.05 million-$1.15 million, was passed in at $1.125 million after three parties had made bids.

It sold shortly after for $1.16 million.

Call Auction Action with your auction results, tips and comments on 8667 2647 between 1pm and 5pm on Saturday.